Persona in Poetry

1. What is a persona in poetry?

• The real-life poet speaking in the poem

• The character or voice that narrates the poem

• A type of poem about a person

• The reader’s personal feelings about the poem

True or False: The persona in a poem is always the poet.

• True
• False

Which of the following could be a persona in a poem?

• A historical figure

• An imaginary creature

• A tree or an object

• All of the above

In Robert Browning’s poem My Last Duchess, the persona is:

"That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall,
Looking as if she were alive."

• The poet himself

• A Duke speaking about his late wife

• A woman remembering her past

• A servant in a castle

Which statement best describes the difference between the author and the persona?

• The author and the persona are always the same.

• The author creates the persona, but the persona may have different views and experiences.

• The persona controls how the poem is written.

• The persona is another name for the poet.

The persona in a poem expresses __________, which may or may not be the poet's own.

Which poetic device is often used to help establish the persona in a poem?

• Rhyme

• Alliteration

• Point of View

• Simile

Read the lines below and identify the persona:

"I am the wind that whispers through the trees,
Watching the world, never at ease."

Who is the persona?

• The poet

• The wind

• The trees

• The reader

A poet writes a poem from the perspective of a lost puppy. Who is the persona?

• The poet

• The lost puppy

• The reader

• The poet's pet dog

Why do poets use a persona instead of speaking as themselves?

• Poets use a persona to explore different perspectives and emotions, allowing for creative freedom and deeper engagement with readers.
• To limit their creative expression and stick to one style.
• To avoid personal accountability for their ideas.
• To maintain a consistent voice throughout their work.